Racquet recommedations needed, wrist pain with Babolat Pure Drive

[Raf.spin]

I've been using Babolat Pure Drive GT 2012 since 2013, but last summer I started experiencing mild wrist pain.
I have been playing tennis for 12 years and never had any chronic arm issues.
Right now the pain is there but I can play on it fine. There are some movements which really make my wrist hurt sometimes.
A little bit about my game...
I'm an aggressive baseliner with extreme western grip forehand and double handed flat backhand. My backhands clear the net with minimum clearance and carry more speed than my forehand which is a bit loopier.
I do not volley unless I'm obliged to.
My first serve is flat and heavy like you're smashing, and the second is the usual spin serve.
I need to switch to a new stick as I'm hitting almost every other day now and need to keep my wrist in one piece.
I play on red clay.
Right now i am using a Wilson Juice 100S which lacks control, but feels better for my wrist. I have trouble keeping the ball in court and am overhitting. But when I get the ball in, it's very heavy and creates trouble for the opponent. Serves are ok, but not as good as with the PD. The hardest part is finishing off the close balls.
Previous rackets used:
- Head Youtek Radical Pro: Serves were slower compared to PD, gave no arm issues, had less pop than PD, more control than PD.
- Babolat Pure Storm GT 16x20 10.4oz: I used this one for around 2 months and had trouble with heavy hitting, the stick lacked power big time.
- Head Microgel Radical Pro: This one was similar to the Youtek but had less control/more power.
- Babolat AeroPro Drive Cortex: I had trouble with this one as it lacked cotrol and gave me the same wrist issue as my current PD, used them for around 3 months.

 

[vandrewv2]

I've been using Babolat Pure Drive GT 2012 since 2013, but last summer I started experiencing mild wrist pain.
I have been playing tennis for 12 years and never had any chronic arm issues.
Right now the pain is there but I can play on it fine. There are some movements which really make my wrist hurt sometimes.
A little bit about my game...
I'm an aggressive baseliner with extreme western grip forehand and double handed flat backhand. My backhands clear the net with minimum clearance and carry more speed than my forehand which is a bit loopier.
I do not volley unless I'm obliged to.
My first serve is flat and heavy like you're smashing, and the second is the usual spin serve.
I need to switch to a new stick as I'm hitting almost every other day now and need to keep my wrist in one piece.
I play on red clay.
Right now i am using a Wilson Juice 100S which lacks control, but feels better for my wrist. I have trouble keeping the ball in court and am overhitting. But when I get the ball in, it's very heavy and creates trouble for the opponent. Serves are ok, but not as good as with the PD. The hardest part is finishing off the close balls.
Previous rackets used:
- Head Youtek Radical Pro: Serves were slower compared to PD, gave no arm issues, had less pop than PD, more control than PD.
- Babolat Pure Storm GT 16x20 10.4oz: I used this one for around 2 months and had trouble with heavy hitting, the stick lacked power big time.
- Head Microgel Radical Pro: This one was similar to the Youtek but had less control/more power.
- Babolat AeroPro Drive Cortex: I had trouble with this one as it lacked cotrol and gave me the same wrist issue as my current PD, used them for around 3 months.

Pure strike 16x19, project one 7

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G530AZ using Tapatalk

 

[A_Instead]

Wilson ultra 100

 

[Stupendous1HBH]

Something with a flex of around 66 or under. Maybe something with a higher twistweight as well. All you can do is demo if you can.

 

[Seth]

Textreme Warrior.

 

[roger presley]

Yonex Ezone DR 98

 

[sm01]

ditto the Yonex

 

[SpinToWin]

I'd demo a few more comfortable options in a similar spec range... for instance:

Yonex DR 100
Wilson Ultra 100
ProKennex Ki Q+5 Pro 310g

I personally quite like Plus length frames nowadays, they may be worth a look for you (two of the above frames have extended length versions that pack a serious punch)

 

[Raf.spin]

I played with my old Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 today. I haven't played with the thing for at least 10 years.
The control was just crazy! The serves were amazing, and the feel was great.
I did have control issues with 100sq.inch frames.
I'm leaning towards Wilson Pro staff 95, the red/white one.

 

[SpinToWin]

I played with my old Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 today. I haven't played with the thing for at least 10 years.
The control was just crazy! The serves were amazing, and the feel was great.
I did have control issues with 100sq.inch frames.
I'm leaning towards Wilson Pro staff 95, the red/white one.

I think that may be too drastic a jump. Try something more in between.

 

[Holliman]

Yonex DR100. The flex is rated at 69 but it doesn't feel too stiff my sensitive elbow. It's a great racquet. The DR98 might also be a great option.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Head XT Extreme Pro. Same specs as Pure Drive Tour, but slightly less stiff. Very solid racquet. And they are on sale now with the new line coming out.

 

[Raf.spin]

Alrighty, I am looking for control oriented low-powered sticks, I've gained lots of muscle weight since I bought my PDs back in 2013 and now am overhitting with it. I have no problem generating my own power. Pulled the trigger on this! Stiffness 61 is perfect, and since I did not have issues hitting with the Pro Staff 85 today, I should be good with a 93.

 

[Zavist]

I'd demo a few more comfortable options in a similar spec range... for instance:

Yonex DR 100
Wilson Ultra 100
ProKennex Ki Q+5 Pro 310g

I personally quite like Plus length frames nowadays, they may be worth a look for you (two of the above frames have extended length versions that pack a serious punch)

^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^

 

[Crocodile]

I'm going to say that you go with something that is heavier, traditionally weighted headlight, box beam with multi filament strings and a larger grip, but you're not going to like it I guess.
My favourite racquet to ease wrist pain is the Volkl C 10 or Pro Kennex Q Tour or Yonex Duel G 330.
I'm afraid I can't recommend most Babolats including strikes or those head heavy counter veil frames and if you keep using poly well you will keep getting pain. If you must go poly maybe Yonex Air under 50lbs will feel OK, but nothing beats natural gut (Pacific of VS) for beating injuries.
At present I am hearing too many incidents of wrist injuries now as the most common tennis injury and something tells me there needs to be a change in how we play tennis and the equipment we use.

 

[KaiserW]

Wilson ultra 100

Yup this...demoed it and was very comfortable. No vibrations.

 

[Chasers]

Hi,

May I suggest not changing anything? I started to have wrist pain when I moved to heavier racquets.

I started doing wrist workouts and that has helped tremendously.

Standing rope forearm (a weight tied to a bar by a rope) roll it up forwards, then backwards. Start with 5 pounds or less.
Hold a light dumbell, 2.5 or less and roll your wrist up then down, slowly.

You can look up others but I would try this before getting a new frame. It has helped me a lot. I don't really have pain anymore, but at first my wrist was very sore, as you would expect with any new workout.

 

[Raf.spin]

Alrighty, I am looking for control oriented low-powered sticks, I've gained lots of muscle weight since I bought my PDs back in 2013 and now am overhitting with it. I have no problem generating my own power. Pulled the trigger on this! Stiffness 61 is perfect, and since I did not have issues hitting with the Pro Staff 85 today, I should be good with a 93.

I cancelled the order, looking for something heavier.

 

[Raf.spin]

I played today with the Pro Staff 6.0 85 for another time, this time after freshly stringing it with Babolat Pro Hurricane 17.
It was a blast!
I cancelled the Prestige Rev Pro order and am looking into something heavier.
Might as well stick to the 6.0 85, but would like to play with something new.
The Pro Staff 90 (red white) maybe?!

 

[Stupendous1HBH]

If you like the PS85 enough you could go for the RF85 they just released. But it'll cost a pretty penny.

 

[JOSHL]

Yonex Duel G 330 is heavier, and feels great!

 

[kingp1ng]

Wilson's Ultra 100 is their version of the Pure Drive, but without Babolat's dense feeling.

Pro Staffs require a seasoned player to wield. When I tried the Six One 95, the feel and touch was next level, but I personally could not see myself playing long periods with it. But hey, if you have solid mechanics go for it. More power to you and the skill ceiling is high.

 

[Stupendous1HBH]

Yonex Duel G 330 is heavier, and feels great!

'tis a solid frame. One of my favs.

 

[n8dawg6]

trying not to get attacked for having this revolutionary view, but for western grip baselining as you describe, it is gonna be tough to move beyond the 100 sq in. it can certainly be done, you can technically use any racquet you want for any style of play. but in terms of consistency it really is nice to have the margin of more sweespot and bigger spin window. the control-oriented frames work so much better in an attacking, chip & charge type tennis.

anyhoo, the trouble is finding a baseliner's frame thats confortable. thats why so many ppl will recommend a dr100, wilson ultra, or textreme warrior.

 

[Raf.spin]

trying not to get attacked for having this revolutionary view, but for western grip baselining as you describe, it is gonna be tough to move beyond the 100 sq in. it can certainly be done, you can technically use any racquet you want for any style of play. but in terms of consistency it really is nice to have the margin of more sweespot and bigger spin window. the control-oriented frames work so much better in an attacking, chip & charge type tennis.

anyhoo, the trouble is finding a baseliner's frame thats confortable. thats why so many ppl will recommend a dr100, wilson ultra, or textreme warrior.

Oh yes, I totally agree with western grip and these smaller head-sized sticks. In the past I've tried to play with Dunlop 200 4G and it didn't work at all, but now I've gained around 8 pounds of muscle weight and these harder to play with rackets feel easier.

Anyway, i could not get my refund for the Prestige Rev Pro...so will give it a try with lead.

 

[Raf.spin]

Got my hands on a Pure Strike Tour yesterday.
The thing is a beast.

 

[KluddKalle]

Got my hands on a Pure Strike Tour yesterday.
The thing is a beast.

I hope you'll like it. I used to play with PD2012 and poly/hybrid strings. Developed wrist pain. Not too bad, it was still playing ok but never pain free. Especially painful during warmups and when freshly strung. So I moved away from it.

First I tried the pure strike 100. It was ok. With led it was good. Then I tried the ps16x19 and it was really good. With a little added weight, it's great and is now (since a little more than a year back) my racquet of choice.
But I have also moved away from poly. Have tried different setups and have found my holy grail of strings - Head velocity. A multi that plays like a poly (almost). Or maybe an even better description - I can play exactly as I used to play with a poly.

Edit: oh, forgot to mention that i found a Pure strike tour the other day for $30. Sold it to a friend but will definitely try it out myself.

 

[Simplicius]

I'm an aggressive baseliner with extreme western grip forehand and double handed flat backhand. My backhands clear the net with minimum clearance and carry more speed than my forehand which is a bit loopier.I do not volley unless I'm obliged to. My first serve is flat and heavy like you're smashing, and the second is the usual spin serve.

Reading all those "flat & min. clearance" mentions - at first I think that the PDGT was too wrong racquet for u.
But afterwards I realise that if you get a racquet which has that "flat & min. clearance" style by it's own (eg. Prestiges, Control Tours, etc). your hitting balls are going to land just in the base of the net...
So, I only know that I don't know anything to propose!

 

[TennisHound]

I would echo @SpinToWin on the Pro Kennex Ki Q+5 Pro. Tough stick

 

[glenWs]

I would only suggest avoiding the Pure Strike line. All my arm pains started once I played with them for a few months.

 

[Raf.spin]

My wrist pain is gone completely after I switched to Aeropro Drive 2013. Even with stiff strings like Pro Hurricane Tour, I have no pain at all. Unbelievable!

 

[glenWs]

My wrist pain is gone completely after I switched to Aeropro Drive 2013. Even with stiff strings like Pro Hurricane Tour, I have no pain at all. Unbelievable!

That's what I am hoping for. I am going back to what worked, my older APDs. Not going to use anything else until I determine how my elbow feels. Also have a VCore SV which I don't think is an issue but I am going to avoid that one too and clear the slate. I am putting all blame on the Pure Strike for now.

 

[brc7]

Yup this...demoed it and was very comfortable. No vibrations.

I can't understand these comments. Maybe there is a problem with me. Weird.

 

[kailash]

I would echo @SpinToWin on the Pro Kennex Ki Q+5 Pro. Tough stick

+ 1.

That is the best. Or try Volkl 8 315 and Yonex DR100.

 

[avocadoz]

Alrighty, I am looking for control oriented low-powered sticks, I've gained lots of muscle weight since I bought my PDs back in 2013 and now am overhitting with it. I have no problem generating my own power. Pulled the trigger on this! Stiffness 61 is perfect, and since I did not have issues hitting with the Pro Staff 85 today, I should be good with a 93.

What does gaining muscle have anything to do with hitting a hard ball? It's all about technique, timing, and racquet headspeed. Look at Federer, he looks like he doesn't have an ounce of muscle on him.

 

[brc7]

What does gaining muscle have anything to do with hitting a hard ball? It's all about technique, timing, and racquet headspeed. Look at Federer, he looks like he doesn't have an ounce of muscle on him.

Which also explains why comparing men and women is stupid.

 

[SpinToWin]

Which also explains why comparing men and women is stupid.

....


What?

 

[Dartagnan64]

What does gaining muscle have anything to do with hitting a hard ball? It's all about technique, timing, and racquet headspeed. Look at Federer, he looks like he doesn't have an ounce of muscle on him.

All top pros have popeye arms with a ton of muscle in their forearms. You do need strong forearms at times in tennis. Not so much for your rally ball but more for your defensive shots to keep them penetrating. Pros hit a lot of balls defensively with just a wrist flick. You don't do that with skinny forearms.